Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-02-01
BID FOR WAR.

SENATE has THROWN Down the
Gauntlet I'm the Canadian Fisheries
Case.
New York Sun, 26th: BY a unanim-
.oas Note-for MIR. Riddleberger does not
eo%nns--the senate of the United States
has passed a measure which, in inten.
ton and effect, is challenge to one Of
the great powers of the earth.
The senators who took part In the
discussion OF Monday diatjratly reooe-
.:seaz he feet the. b Z: aiszssiion Bill.
is q notification and q menace, which,
under certain conditions of public feel
ing, would lead to war with Great
Britain.
"The. purpose OF the proposed leeisle-
ton" said Mr.. Frye, q member OF
the senate committee on foreign
relations, us to notify she government
OF Great Britain that o continuance of
the course of Canada must be at her
peril" "The statement OF facts made
by the senator from Maine" said Mr..
ingalls,, "constitates q casus belli under
the Law Of nations. The contiuuanoa Of
.amicable relations under such circun.
stances would be impossible When
Mr.. Edmunds mildly deprecated the ont
spoken and straightforward presentation
of the case, the able senator from Kansas
expressed in still stronger language the
average sentiment Of the country res.
pecting England's attitude.
Even those senators who, from motives
OF policy, declared that the retaliation
bill did not moan war, and was not in
tended to mean war, practically admit
ted that il meant war unless Great
Britain should give way. ut does not
necessarily follow said Mr.. Edmnnds.
'.that every breach OF. treaty is to be
followed by war" How about q con-
tinuoua, deliberate, wilful violation Of q
treaty n demanded Mr.. Ingalls,. "That
is q different thing replied Mr.. Ed
pannds. And MIR. Morgan, OF Alabama.
while asserting that there was peace in
the measure aud nothing else, prophesied
that if the troubles went on, there would
be wal in them-and war beyond the
control of. Congress. "The first blood,
said Mr.. Morgan, according to the pub
lished summary Of his remarks, s'that
would be drawn in O controversy OF
this kind on the Canadian coaet
would be the tocsin of war. The PEG.
pie OF the United States would be
plunged into war by it as rapidly ss
they were by John Browns raid at
Hsrper's Ferry. and they would 20 into
it unanimously. American fishermen
would find In the defence OF their rights
Just az much support on the Gull OF
Mexico as on the coast OF Maine"
In defence OF American rights we are
about to take q position. from which we
shall not recede; the alternative OF peace
or war lies with Great Britain-sach was
the drift of the debate In the senate, il
debate is the word for an expression OF
opinion unanimous as to essentials, and
differing only in the externals of form
and phrase.
Pluck and patriotism rang ont in the
| senate chamber OF the United States on
Monday. The talk OF war was not ridi-
culous, for il Is justified by the outrages
to which our fishermen have been sub
ieot for months at the hands OF the DOM
inion cruisers !. and nations have been
embroiled before this for less cause.
But while the American congress, with
q hrmness which is thoroughly approved
by the country, is warming Great Britain
that these persistent ~iDfringements on
the rights Of American citizens hove
gone to the limit OF peaceable endurance,
what rs the American congress- doing to
provide against the contingency TO which
this declaration 80 plainly pointsp
Our coasts are defenceless. Our har.
bors are unprotected. Our great cities
are at the mercy OF the first conner
We have no forts. nc guns, no ships al
to Withstand the attacks OF an enemy
equipped with the appliances OF modern
warfare. The enemy that comes may
be o rutian among nations. q coward, q
bully, selfish and rspacious, and rover.
theless may bring guns capable OF rak.
ing Manhattan Island from deep water
beyond Brighton Beach. II lie not the
right Or wrong, the ~iuatice Of The cause
that determines these disputes between
pstions; 1t is the oalibre and range, OF
the rihed guns, the thickness OF the
arr,or plating, the speed Of the ships OF
war.
Lei not congress neglect its duty any
longer. While firmly and fearlessly
maintaining American rights ss against
Great Britain or against the world, let
the senators and representatives in
congress remember that 6rmness and
fearlessnees are not the only Ways OF
i6snifestinR patriotism.
Wal taik haa its responsibilities aa
we'll its privileges.